NDA Early Years

Our three-tiered Early Childhood Development program for boys and girls starts with Pre-Kindergarten at 2 years 9 months and moves through two levels of Kindergarten until age 6. The hands-on, developmental program delivers a values-based education incorporating technology, environmental responsibility, cultural appreciation, specials including world languages, art, and music and provides access to our new mini makerspace exploration center.

NDA Lower School

Our co-educational Lower School program for grades 1-5 offers families a mission-driven, values-based education providing a nurturing environment of challenging academics, favorable student-to-teacher ratios, specialty classes that include art, music and world languages, and use of a newly upgraded science lab and brand new STEAM makerspace.

NDA Middle School

The Academy’s co-educational Middle School program for grades 6-8 provides challenging course work in language arts, science, math, and world languages and scheduling to meet individual needs based on learning readiness. The REACH program provides advanced work in math and English for those who qualify. The newly upgraded science lab and brand new STEAM Makerspace were specially designed to meet the needs of middle school students as they prepare for a future in the global economy.

NDA Upper School

The Academy of Notre Dame is the region's only all-girls high school with a rich history of empowering and educating young women since 1854. Our rigorous and supportive academic environment in small class settings provide real-life applications where young women are valued as individuals, challenged to achieve, encouraged to speak their minds, and empowered to lead. The outstanding STEAM- and humanities-focused academics have led our graduates to 100% college acceptance and more than $25 million in renewable merit scholarships since 2015.

Admissions

Thank you for exploring the possibilities that exist for you or your child at The Academy of Notre Dame. We invite you to click through these links to gather the information you are seeking about the Academy or to contact us at 978.649.7611, EXT. 327 or admissions@ndatyngsboro.org.

The Upper School Program

Grades 9 through 12

Meet our dedicated faculty and phenomenal young women, learn more about what we have to offer, then schedule a shadow day to see for yourself!

Spirituality & Character

“Teach them what they need to know for life” is a founding principle for the Academy, one first pronounced by St. Julie Billiart. This principle guides our community of faculty and staff as they commit themselves to help students grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, physically and morally.

Our goal is to nurture each student as a unique individual. We seek to know our students and the gifts each one brings to our community while helping her achieve her goals within a caring and supportive environment. The Academy supports spiritual exploration and strong character formation, and promotes women’s leadership and service to those in need. As Catholic school, we are committed to the principles of Catholic moral teachings and social justice, while providing a faithful environment where prayer and liturgical celebrations bind the community.

Outstanding Academics

Academy students receive a top-quality education that balances classical subjects and innovative approaches. The school provides a full range of academic classes, art and music, physical fitness and health along with opportunities to access specialized electives through our Virtual High School (VHS).

Academic Levels

Academy students are presented with ongoing opportunities to move between academic levels so that each one will be challenged appropriately and supported academically.

College Preparatory (CP) - Upper School classes are all College Preparatory (CP) courses. To qualify for a diploma each student must earn a minimum 26 CP credits or the equivalent in AP and Honors courses.

Honors - Entering Grade 9 students must take special placement exams to qualify for honors. Honors placement within departments at all other grade levels requires a minimum of an 80 in the prior year’s honors course or a 93 in the prior year CP course.

Advanced Placement (AP) - Upper level Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered throughout the mathematics, science, history, world language and English curriculums. Students seeking to enroll in an AP level class must have at least an 87 in prior related honors courses.

Hands-On

Our hands-on approach to lab science study makes learning fun, innovative and relevant. Students don’t just learn about subjects at the Academy; they take part actively in the learning process through discussion-oriented and hands-on courses. Providing our students with hands-on lab experience has helped to inspire more than 50% of graduates since 2015 to declare a major in a science, technology, engineering, or math field.

Technologically Savvy

The Academy's commitment to technological innovation is reflected in our technology curriculum and supported by state-of-the-art science and computer labs, use of interactive whiteboard technology and software applications for classroom instruction, a policy that encourages students to bring their own device to school and wireless connectivity in every classroom. In this way we are able to prepare our students to thrive in a digital world.

Academic Support

The small-school environment, with an overall teacher to student ratio of 1:7, ensures that students get the support they need for personal success. Our unique Directed Learning Time (DLT), during the last period of the day gives students in-school time to work on homework and get extra help from teachers. Teachers will also help students before school, after school and during lunch. The National Honor Society (NHS) also offers free tutoring after school each day. At the Academy, students will get all the support they need to achieve their personal best.

Athletics

Students can tap into the Academy’s strong and accessible athletic program, one in which a large percentage of Academy students participate. Varsity athletes perform strongly in their league, with many teams competing in playoff and state-level competitions. The school is also small enough so that students can try a sport for the first time.

Extracurriculars

Colleges show more interest in students who are well-rounded and know how to balance academics with extra-curriculars so the Academy offers a wide-range of extra-curricular opportunities. Students can sing in our large Glee Club, take the dance floor with Liturgical Dance, take the stage with the Drama Guild, or take the podium with Model UN. They can write for the newspaper (Damies’ Digest), and help with the yearbook and art/literary magazine (The Muse). Clubs are abundant at the Academy and new ones are always being created by students with a passion for a particular cause or interest. Each year there are about 20 clubs available for students to choose from.

Leadership

The Academy nurtures student leaders at every turn – whether students want to lead in front or from the sidelines. Girls take charge at the Academy, with teachers supporting from the sidelines. Students are encouraged and supported to add their talents and leave their unique mark on the Academy!

What about Boys?

Each autumn the entire school attends the Fall Ball where boys are welcome if students want to bring a date. The same applies for our other formals including the Sophomore Semi and the annual Junior-Senior Prom. Opportunities to socialize with boys at school-sponsored events and outside of school are extensive.

When considering the boy factor, also consider what Academy students love about going to school without boys. They love the no-stress daily fashion issue. With a uniform to rely on and no boys to impress, girls can choose whether to wear make-up or not, how much to accessorize, or just throw on their crumpled skirt, grab a polo and go. Girls at the Academy also report that school is a “no drama” experience, when competition for attention from boys is removed from the learning scene. Friendships form easily, and the girls bond and support each other in a caring community.